Cost of Living Comparison Between Salem, MA and Chicago, IL Cost of Living Comparison Between Salem, MA and Chicago, IL

Monthly Cost of Living

A single person spends $3,473 per month in Salem, MA vs $3,009 in Chicago, IL, rent included.

A couple spends around $4,781 per month in Salem, MA vs $4,593 in Chicago, IL, rent included.

A family of three spends $6,090 per month in Salem, MA vs $6,177 in Chicago, IL, rent included.

Salem, MA costs about 15% more than Chicago, IL, driven mainly by Monthly Utilities & Internet.

Both Salem, MA and Chicago, IL sit above the global median – Salem, MA by 159%, Chicago, IL by 125%.

Meal at Budget Restaurant

$25.10 $25.10

$20.35 $20.35

23.34%

Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range

$98.2 $98.2

$102 $102

-3.37%

Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)

$11.04 $11.04

$11.98 $11.98

-7.85%

Cappuccino

$5.10 $5.10

$5.70 $5.70

-10.53%

Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite (0.33 liter bottle)

$2.44 $2.44

$3.00 $3.00

-18.67%

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$2.13 $2.13

$2.46 $2.46

-13.41%

Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$8.12 $8.12

$6.87 $6.87

18.20%

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$6.97 $6.97

$8.09 $8.09

-13.84%

Milk (1 liter)

$1.22 $1.22

$1.03 $1.03

18.45%

White Bread (500g)

$4.37 $4.37

$3.95 $3.95

10.63%

Rice (white) (1kg)

$8.72 $8.72

$5.42 $5.42

60.89%

Eggs

$4.42 $4.42

$4.50 $4.50

-1.78%

Local Cheese (1kg)

$14.19 $14.19

$14.53 $14.53

-2.34%

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$14.25 $14.25

$14.89 $14.89

-4.30%

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$8.70 $8.70

$18.98 $18.98

-54.16%

Apples (1kg)

$4.53 $4.53

$5.39 $5.39

-15.96%

Banana (1kg)

$1.33 $1.33

$1.77 $1.77

-24.86%

Oranges (1kg)

$3.35 $3.35

$4.35 $4.35

-22.99%

Tomato (1kg)

$4.79 $4.79

$4.53 $4.53

5.74%

Potato (1kg)

$4.29 $4.29

$2.53 $2.53

69.57%

Onion (1kg)

$2.37 $2.37

$2.81 $2.81

-15.66%

Lettuce (1 head)

$2.54 $2.54

$2.51 $2.51

1.20%

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$3.43 $3.43

$2.67 $2.67

28.46%

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)

$9.53 $9.53

$14.88 $14.88

-35.95%

Wine (Bottle)

$12.89 $12.89

$15.22 $15.22

-15.31%

Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$1.76 $1.76

$2.46 $2.46

-28.46%

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$6.90 $6.90

$3.53 $3.53

95.47%

One-way Ticket (Public Transport)

$2.45 $2.45

$2.56 $2.56

-4.30%

Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)

$54.6 $54.6

$74.3 $74.3

-26.51%

Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)

$3.49 $3.49

$3.19 $3.19

9.40%

Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)

$1.58 $1.58

$1.41 $1.41

12.06%

Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)

$29.22 $29.22

$25.49 $25.49

14.63%

Gasoline (1 liter)

$1.07 $1.07

$1.04 $1.04

2.88%

Midsize Hatchback 1.4l (Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)

$29.8K $29.8K

$32.2K $32.2K

-7.42%

Compact Sedan 1.6l (Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)

$26.0K $26.0K

$26.8K $26.8K

-2.94%

Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment (Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage) (85m2)

$169 $169

$184 $184

-7.95%

SIM Card Monthly Plan (Calls and 10GB+ Data)

$91.3 $91.3

$63.1 $63.1

44.65%

Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)

$82.3 $82.3

$66.4 $66.4

23.97%

Gym Membership (Monthly)

$42.44 $42.44

$75.9 $75.9

-44.09%

Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)

$13.06 $13.06

Cinema Ticket

$14.89 $14.89

$15.25 $15.25

-2.36%

Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child (Monthly)

$1,299 $1,299

$2,090 $2,090

-37.83%

International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)

$23.8K $23.8K

$39.2K $39.2K

-39.40%

Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)

$71.4 $71.4

$64.2 $64.2

11.14%

Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)

$58.4 $58.4

$51.0 $51.0

14.51%

Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)

$97.9 $97.9

$97.2 $97.2

0.70%

Men's Leather Business Shoes

$98.6 $98.6

$149 $149

-33.61%

1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$2,360 $2,360

$2,341 $2,341

0.80%

1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$1,944 $1,944

$1,572 $1,572

23.62%

3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$3,832 $3,832

$4,741 $4,741

-19.18%

3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$2,855 $2,855

$2,819 $2,819

1.28%

Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)

$2,731 $2,731

$3,900 $3,900

-29.97%

Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)

$2,387 $2,387

$2,638 $2,638

-9.53%

Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)

$9,570 $9,570

$4,769 $4,769

100.69%

20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)

6.51

6.6

-1.36%

CityCost data is based on AI and user input – minor inaccuracies may occur.

Last update for Salem, MA: April 28, 2026

Last update for Chicago, IL: April 25, 2026

Cost Breakdown

A central one-bedroom costs $2,360 in Salem, MA versus $2,341 in Chicago, IL. Rent is usually the largest line item in a monthly budget, so the gap here sets the tone for the overall comparison.

Salaries run about 101% higher in Salem, MA, which partly offsets the higher cost of living there. Purchasing power depends on which expenses matter most to you.

A mid-range dinner for two costs $98 in Salem, MA versus $102 in Chicago, IL. Monthly groceries follow the same trend: $434 vs $447 – making Salem, MA the more affordable choice for daily food spending.

City Median Internet Speeds Comparison (Updated April 2026)

The chart highlights the Precision Threshold for mobile and fixed broadband internet speeds, updated quarterly.

Digital Nomad Cost of Living Index

Salem, MA vs Chicago, IL: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions

Monthly costs with rent: $3,473 in Salem, MA, $3,009 in Chicago, IL – roughly 15% apart. Salem, MA costs more across the board, with Monthly Utilities & Internet showing the biggest gap.

For a comfortable life, plan on about $5,209 per month in Salem, MA and $4,513 in Chicago, IL. That covers rent, food, utilities, transport, and enough left over to feel settled – not just surviving.

Rent is clearly cheaper in Chicago, IL, especially for central apartments. Housing is actually the single biggest factor behind the overall cost gap between these two cities.

Interestingly, groceries are about 3% cheaper in Salem, MA – one category where the pricier city actually offers better value, probably thanks to stronger retail competition or local farming.

A mid-range dinner for two costs $98.0 in Salem, MA and $102 in Chicago, IL. That's a good indicator of the overall restaurant and café pricing gap between the two cities.

$3,000 is a stretch for both – monthly costs hit $3,473 in Salem, MA and $3,009 in Chicago, IL. You'll need shared housing and careful budgeting no matter which city you pick.

It depends on your priorities. Chicago, IL has an edge in some lifestyle areas, with costs from $3,009 in Chicago, IL to $3,473 in Salem, MA. Climate, culture, job market, and personal taste all factor in.

Both have safer and rougher neighborhoods, but overall safety is comparable to other large cities. Neighborhood choice matters more than the city-level comparison – central, well-trafficked areas feel secure in both.

If budget matters most, go with Chicago, IL. If higher salaries, better infrastructure, or specific career opportunities are the priority, Salem, MA makes more sense. Both are solid long-term options with distinct trade-offs.